13 Jul On 12 July, the Belgian Brigadier General Bart Laurent new head of mission EUTM Mali

On 12 July 2017, command of the EUTM Mali officially changed hands at a ceremony held at the EUTM headquarters in Bamako. The new Commander, Brigadier General Bart Laurent, assumed command from Finnish Lieutenant-General Esa Pulkkinen, Director of the EU Military Planning and Conduct Capacity (MPCC).

During this military ceremony at the EUTM headquarters in Bamako, meritorious officers of the Malian army and security services received – on an exceptional basis – the medal of support for the Common European security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the presentation of a certificate of recommendation.